Having read chapters 1-5 it is clear Huck Finn is not one of a kind. By definition, social responsibility is a duty that every individual has to maintain a balance and fit into society. Good or bad, Huckleberry is to "unholy"and ill mannered for Miss Watson/Widow Douglas in the beginning and by chapter 5 he is to smart and "civilized" for his Pap. 1 and 5 are really the two cases in which we see he is not fit for any society nor even Tom Sawyer as he matures.
When Huck introduces himself in chapter 1, he speaks of Miss Watson attempting to "reform" him through manner and religion. Yet, Huckleberry finds it boring and "lonesome". On page 3 paragraph 4 we read as Miss Watson(Miss Watkins) commands Huck(Paul) to do things out of his norm such as ""Don't put your feet up there, Huckleberry;" and "don't scrunch up like that, Huckleberry--set up straight;""(Twain,Pg 2-3). Also on page 3 Finn talks of religion with Watson and how he should strive to be in the "good place", yet Huck sees no advantage if his friends (Tom) won't be there. No matter what was done, Huckleberry did not show interest in religion as the public did. He was as much an outsider who had superstitious beliefs (displayed when he flicks the spider into the candle) as the Niggers were. "Niggers would come miles to hear Jim tell about it" (Twain,Pg 6) ***It referring to the story of the "witches"***
Chapter 5, Pap has returned to Good ol' Hucky Boy ^.^ ! (NOT GOOD) When Pap is found sitting in Huck's room he starts to go off on Huck about how he's changed. Although never there to teach Huckleberry how he wanted him to act or his own version of right from wrong, he is offended by the Widow's version of Huck. "Starchy clothes--very. You think you're a good deal of big-bug, don't you?" and "Who told you you might meddle with such hifalut' n foolishness, hey?" (Twain,Pg 20) were two remarks I found that proved Pap was displeased and did not accept Huck at all. Finn had failed to fit in with the rivaling societies of the majority and Paps. He did not fulfill his Social Responsibility.
Nice start Paul! I like your definition of social responsibility, but think about who is defining society. Society at the time of the novel is a place where it is socially acceptable to own slaves. So, according to your definition, does the society of the time have a right to teach Huck that owning a slave is the "right' thing to do?
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe it does, because those were the views of the majority. We can't go about reading Huck Finn saying slavery is wrong and so are the people. In a sense we can I suppose if were going by a race lense, but we have to read it from the views of the townspeople.
DeleteNice quote and touché on the Watkins thing. Now I’m confused still on how Finn failed to fit with the rivaling society. I get Finn “failed” on fitting with his father vision of him since the father wants Finn to be dumber than him, but Finn still has yet time to prove himself to the rivaling societies and time still to get some sense into his father.
ReplyDeleteFinn fails to fit with Pap's(minority of people, drunks I suppose) and The Widow Douglas and Watson's(majority of peoples views at that time period) vision of him therefore he is accepted by neither.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your last comment Paul. I believe that it is hard for Huck to become "civilized" because in the back of his mind he knows that there is no going back. As he is making his transition he is in the middle of both societies and therefore not truly accepted by either. Huck knows that his father is not good for him and so he tries to get away. But, in the back of his mind he is always afraid that his father will come back for him. So becoming a "member" of the other class could be something that helps keep Huck safe from his father, even if he doesn't know that yet.
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